These judges (renowned chefs, restaurant owners, educators, food critics, bloggers, lifestyle publication editors, and celebrity foodies) vote using a secure online ballot system to collectively decide which restaurants would be the nominees in each of the 30 award categories. The judges go on then to vote again in a second ballot, this time choosing the winner in each category. These results and
the integrity of the voting system are reviewed by top accounting firm SGV & Co. The entire restaurant industry--nominees, judges, presenters, sponsors, and supporters--then gathers bi-annually to crown the best among us at Enderun Colleges' Alain Ducasse Culinary Center. As each proud winner accepts his well-earned award to thunderous applause, the cameras of 7 TV networks, 6 radio stations, 8 broadsheets, and countless magazines and food blogs swarm them to get their reaction.
“It’s a really good thing to have in the Philippines because it brings all the restaurateurs together," says multi-award winner Chef Colin MacKay of People's Palace and Sala. "We get a chance to see what’s going on in the industry, see the competition, see what’s happening and get feedback from the public. It’s a great accolade to the scene!”
Manila's Best Kept Restaurant Secrets, the bi-annual awarding ceremony, takes place again this year in November and is by invitation only. Think getting involved is a good idea? Send us a personal message.
